Topband: The East Coast Advantage

[Milt, N5IA]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Moran" <brianmo at yahoo.com>
To: <topband at contesting.com>; "Jim Brown" <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: The East Coast Advantage


> The recent changes to a couple of 160m contests, starting them 2 hours 
> earlier (when we west coast guys are at work, or at least capable of 
> sitting in tanning-strength sunlight), also favors the east coast.  Some 
> distance-based scoring system would help to even-up the scoring 
> differential, but I'm not sure I'd want to diminish the charm of the Stew 
> by making these larger contests like it.
>
> The west coast folks are voting with their feet and their power 
> switches -- and one can always go to a more radio-friendly clime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brian,

NOT SO.

This change is to our advantage out West.  The change was lobbied for with 
very well thought out reasons and a showing that it is NOT a detriment to 
anyone anywhere worldwide.

The main reason for requesting that the starting time format revert to what 
it was before changing a few years ago was this.

With the later starting time everyone east of the Mississippi (more or less) 
had a 3rd evening chance (local Sunday evening) at working EU.

Moving the starting time two hours earlier takes that two hour, 3rd night 
window away from most of the eastern areas.  Only the far northeastern 
portion of New England and the Canadian Maritimes remain with the 3rd 
evening opportunity.

I personally lobbied to have the time dropped back three hours, but feel 
good that the two hours was given.

Milt, N5IA